Chapter 2 Back to The Old Norm

“Your vitals seems okay. Blood pressure is normal as well.” The doctor concluded while I was laying in bed.

“Great.” I said as I propped himself up on one arm. 

“Lie down, Nat.” Trei scolded me and gently pushed me back down.

I swatted his hand away with a frown. “I have been lying here for who knows how long. I am tired and bored of staying here and doing nothing.” I stubbornly sat on the bed and rubbed my neck. 

“But-” Trei started to speak but the doctor that was running the test on me placed a hand on his shoulder with a shake of her head.

“Sir Trei, she has fully recovered already. I think it would be more than fine for her to leave.” She says.

“Awesome.” I got down from my bed until I noticed the cold feeling under my bare feet. I looked back up at the two and offering a small smile at them. “I don’t suppose that there’s something that I can wear in this place? Preferably something other than this hospital gown? And some shoes.” I added.

The doctor snickered in amusement while Trei crosses his arms with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll go get you a change of clothing. Just wait here.” He gave me a stern look.

“Aye.” I saluted before sitting back down on my bed. “Not like I can even go anywhere, to be honest.” I grumbled at the same time as my stomach. I blushed.

It’s not my fault that I haven’t eaten in a while!

The female doctor laughed before getting a radio phone from her lab coat pocket. “Hello? This is Doctor Benz. Can I have someone deliver miss Nathalia’s lunch? Yes, room 402. Thank you.”

“I’ll be leaving her in your care for a bit, doc.” Trei says before leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed, the doctor turned her attention to me and smiled. “It’s great seeing you, miss Nathalia. I have always wanted to meet you.”

I was baffled at her words. “Sorry but, do you know me?” I asked.

“I have heard of you. You were the only demigod that we can keep our tab on. Oh, and I am not trying to be rude when I say this. I’m sorry.” She quickly added.

“No. It’s fine. Trei already told us about it.” I’m not gonna lie. It still bothered me a bit that they were keeping tabs on me and my growth since I was a kid. It was disturbing and I could not help but wonder how much privacy do I actually have before I came to Atlantis.

There was a short knock on the door before a nurse entered carrying my tray of food in his hands.

“Well, I guess that’s my cue to leave. I do hope that I get you meet you again, miss Nathalia. But under different circumstances. One where you’re healthy and well.” She says before leaving the room to allow me to have my meal in peace.

The nurse was very quick to drag a nearby table and set my food in front of me before leaving. As I was sitting there and enjoying my meal, I heard people screaming outside. I raised an eyebrow and tried to listen as I ate. Judging from the yells and screams of profanity, I could tell that it wasn’t a life-threatening situation. 

Maybe they were just having an emergency or something.

And then I heard a very familiar voice outside and paired with a couple of yells from Trei.

The door suddenly burst open and Byron entered the room, dragging Trei along with him. 

“Nathalia!” He yelled and attempted to tackle me, but Trei managed to find the last bit of strength to pull him back just in time before we would collide. 

Byron gave him an annoyed look. “Hey! What’s the big idea? Not only did you keep the fact that she was already conscious, but now you don’t want me to approach her? She’s my sister!”

“Lord Byron,” Trei was giving him a plastic smile while his eyebrow twitched. “The reason that I did not tell you is that I know that you would do this. Let your sister recover.”

Byron pouted and pointed a finger at me while I slowly and calmly finished my soup. “Hey, Byron.” I greeted him with a wave of my hand.

“She’s recovered already.” Byron looked at me. “Isn’t that right?”

Since I still have food in my mouth, I merely nodded in confirmation.

Byron whipped his head back to Trei. “See?”

“She’s still eating. Give your sister some space.”

“It’s not fair that you are the only one who gets to see her. What? Do you want to monopolize her? Because I assure you that I won’t allow that.”

“I-I don’t! I was going to bring her a change of clothes first before we come and see all of you.” Trei gestured at the folded clothes in his hands and the pair of shoes dangling on his arm.

“Great!” I extended my arm eagerly at Trei. “Give it here so I can change.”

Trei came forward and handed me my clothes. “What? Not even a thank you?”

“I was going to!” I pouted. “Anyway, thanks, Trei. But now, can you both leave the room for a second? I want to change my clothes if you two don’t mind.”

“As you wish, princess.” Trei faked a bow before dragging a protesting demigod behind him.

I glance at the change of clothes. They weren’t the same jumpsuit that I used to wear back in Atlantis. It was more of a human clothing. Jeans and a plain T-shirt. It was similar to what Byron was wearing.

I guess I was back to my own norm of clothing.

I started to change and could not help but feel strange. Before, I would have found this very comforting, but now, I find it a bit constricting. I have to admit that the jumpsuit was by far the most comfortable clothing that I wore in my entire life. But now I know that it was impossible for me to get one of those again. 

I started to make my way towards the door and found Trei and Byron both waiting for me outside.

“Hey.” I waved at them. My rubber shoes making some annoying squeaks on the tiled floor making me wince.

Byron didn’t say anything. He just went for me and pulled me into an embrace. I was stunned at first before I moved to return the gesture. “Glad to see that you’re doing fine, Byron.”

Byron pulled back with a frown. “Hey. It’s ‘bro’ to you.” He corrected me.

I chuckled. “Sorry. I’ll make sure to call you that next time.”

Satisfied, Byron grinned and moved back to allow me to see Trei. He was leaning back on the wall while waiting for us to finish. “Are you sure that you’re good to walk now?”

“Trei, the doctor said that I have already recovered. What more do you need? Want me to show you my leg? It’s already healed and there isn’t even a scar!” I crossed my arms over my chest as I glowered at him.

“One of the benefits of being an Atlantean and a demigod.” Byron inserted while placing an arm over my shoulders. “It’s a trade secret.”

“Not really a secret when everyone here knows who you two really are.” Trei pointed out.

My eyes started to wander around the room. “Where’s...Skyr?” I asked.

At the mention of his name, Byron gasped. “Oh shit. I was supposed to meet him at the cafeteria. But then I saw him carrying your clothes that I just had to go!” He sighed. “General, wherever you are. I hope that you can forgive me.” He says dramatically.

I pinched Byron’s side. “Stop making it sound like he’s dead.” I told him as soon as he sly away from me. “You said it yourself, he’s in the cafeteria. Have you not eaten?”

At my question, Byron’s stomach started to rumble. He laughed. “Does that answer your question?” He chuckled. “How about it? Do you want to come with me and meet up with Skyr? I bet he would love to see you as well.”

I smiled up at him. “Sure.”